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Motorist plummets into Clackamas River, eludes police

The driver of a Land Rover drove off a 40-foot cliff in Estacada rather than pull over on Sunday.

A man who apparently couldn't stomach another traffic ticket drove his car into the Clackamas River off a 40-foot cliff, police say.

Clackamas County deputies say the encounter began around 10:10 p.m. on Sunday, May 27 — after an officer spotted a black Land Rover driving east on Highway 224 that was committing "several traffic violations."

The officer clocked the car traveling at nearly 100 mph as it entered Estacada city limits, according to a news release.

The driver refused to pull over, so police gave chase as the Land Rover continued past milepost 33 on Highway 224.

"The deputy lost sight of the vehicle near that location," a news release reports.

Deputies continued to investigate the alleged attempt to elude, and realized the driver had driven straight off a curve and into the river. The vehicle was sitting upright in a part of the Clackamas River that's several feet deep.

Police say they weren't able to locate the driver, but found a rifle and a few other "identifying items" inside the vehicle.

Police say they spoke to a witness who saw the crash and asked if the driver needed help. The man responded by saying he was okay. The witness did not see the suspect.

A Portland Police plane searched the area by air, while other officers and a K9 unit searched the shore. All efforts came up empty.

The Clackamas County Fire Department, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, Estacada Fire Department, American Medical Response, Sandy Police Department and an Oregon City Police Officer and canine unit assisted in the investigation.